LONDON: A groundbreaking study by leading health researchers has unveiled concerning findings about the use of obesity medications. According to the analysis, individuals who cease treatment with anti-obesity drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are likely to regain their original weight within two years, thereby losing significant health benefits associated with weight loss, including improvements in heart health and cholesterol levels.

The comprehensive research review, published in the British Medical Journal, draws conclusions from over 9,000 participants across 37 studies focused on weight-loss drugs. Susan Jebb, a co-author and public health nutrition scientist at the University of Oxford, highlighted that rapid weight regain is a common occurrence after stopping these medications. “What we’ve shown in this particular piece of analysis is that weight regain after medication is common and is rapid,” she stated. Knowing the chronic nature of obesity, Jebb emphasized the importance of ongoing intervention to maintain the health benefits achieved during treatment.

The researchers found an average weight loss of 8.3 kilograms while participants were on medication; however, their analysis indicated that most subjects return to their baseline weight within 21 months of discontinuing the drugs. The study also projected that any beneficial effects on cardiovascular health would collapse within approximately 18 months of stopping treatment.

The implications of this study are crucial for the millions expected to use these medications in the coming years, according to Adam Collins, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Surrey. He expressed concerns about the massive wave of users likely to stop these drugs and the public health challenges it presents. Experts not directly involved in the research corroborated that while these medications can be life-changing, the sustainability of weight loss remains a significant hurdle.

Moreover, another study published simultaneously indicated that individuals using these drugs without adequate nutritional guidance might experience muscle loss and nutritional deficiencies. Researchers recommend integrating nutritional care with obesity treatments to prevent further health complications that may arise after weight regain. “If nutritional care is not integrated alongside treatment, there’s a risk of replacing one set of health problems with another,” cautioned Marie Spreckley from the University of Cambridge. This emphasizes the need for comprehensive support for individuals undertaking weight-loss medications.